Benthos_AB202_UNIS_2025

This research was conducted aboard the research vessel Helmer Hanssen over a five-day cruise around Svalbard. The fieldwork was a part of a course (AB-202) organized by UNIS (The University Centre in Svalbard), involving 18 students, professors, and the ship's crew. Sampling was carried out at four stations: Isfjorden(IsK), Kongsjorden (KB3), Smeerenburg (SME) and St.Jonsfjorden (STJ). The aim was to investigate benthic communities and environmental conditions across fjords with varying degrees of Atlantic and Arctic influence. At each station, benthic samples were collected using a bottom trawl and Van Veen grab, followed by sieving and taxonomic identification.The dataset provides insight into species composition distribution, and relative abundance in Svalbard fjords during early spring. These data can contribute to longterm monitoring of benthic communities and assessments of climate-related changes in Arctic marine ecosystems.